Chapter 32: Hidden

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Hidden Lily rushed into the dim room, her heart pounding. The scratch on her arm burned with every step. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it, trying to steady her breathing. Without thinking, she reached for the hem of her dress and tore off a strip. Her hands trembled as she wrapped it tightly around the wound. It wasn’t deep, but it was raw and stung badly. She didn’t hear Martha until the door creaked open. “Lily?” Martha’s voice was filled with worry as she stepped inside. Her eyes landed on the blood-stained fabric. “What happened?” Lily flinched and turned away, trying to hide the injury. “You’re hurt!” Martha exclaimed, walking closer, “Tell me who did this.” Lily shook her head and brushed past her toward the mattress in the corner. She knew she couldn’t tell Martha about her encounter with Zayne. How would she even explain it? “Let me see it,” Martha pleaded. She didn’t move. “Now, Lily!” Martha crouched beside her, eyeing the cloth around Lily’s arm. “Let me see it.” Lily shook her head and pulled back. Martha sighed, stood up, and moved closer. “Fine. If you won’t show me, I’ll look for it myself.” She gently grabbed Lily’s arm. Lily resisted, but Martha didn’t let go. “You’re hurt. I’m not letting this get worse.” She quickly unwrapped the cloth. The second the wound was exposed, Martha’s face went pale. It was raw, still bleeding around the edges. “Who did this to you?” she whispered, her heart ached. Lily pressed her lips together. She looked away. “Lily,” Martha said again, stepping in front of her. “Tell me. Who did it?” Still, Lily didn’t answer. Martha’s voice rose. “Was it one of the guards? Did someone hurt you out there? I swear if anyone laid a hand on you—” Lily reached out, grabbing her wrist, her eyes pleading. She shook her head and mouthed a silent ‘no.’ Martha paused. Her breath hitched. And then her eyes narrowed again. “It was him, wasn’t it?” she whispered. “Zayn.” She couldn’t look her in the eye. Martha turned toward the door. “I’m going to speak to him.” Lily stumbled after her, grabbing the hem of her dress. Martha stopped, surprised. “You don’t want me to?” Lily shook her head, mouthing, Don’t. “You’re not defending him... are you?” Martha asked, softer now. Lily looked down and shook her head again. Martha sighed, her anger cooling. “You’re worried I’ll get in trouble.” Lily nodded. Martha crouched beside her, holding her hands. “Someone needs to stand up for you.” Lily’s eyes pleaded. Martha paused, then gave a small nod. “Alright. Not now. But this isn’t over.” Martha opened the door and was about to step out when she stopped in her tracks. Victoria was there in the hallway, just about to enter. Victoria stepped in, her expression sour. “What’s going on?” Martha stiffened. Victoria’s eyes moved between them, then dropped to Lily’s arm. Her lips curled into a cruel smile. “Well, well. What do we have here?” Lily backed up a step, heart jumping. Victoria walked up, slow and deliberate. “Poor thing. You look like a wet mouse.” Martha froze, caught off guard by her sudden appearance. “Oh? What happened to your arm?” Victoria asked. She reached forward and pressed her fingers into the wound. Lily gasped softly, pulling back from the pain. Victoria grinned. “Sensitive, aren’t you?” Suddenly, her expression darkened. “That scent... You let him touch you, didn’t you?” Lily stumbled back, shaking her head frantically, hands raised in defense. “Don’t lie to me!” Victoria hissed. “I can smell him on you.” Lily shook her head vigorously, as her hands moved quickly—one pressing to her chest, the other waving desperately in front of her like she was trying to erase the accusation in the air. “Oh, save it,” Victoria snapped, storming forward. “You little slut. You think this is your way out? Huh? Seduce him, win him over, and maybe he’ll make you his precious little pet?” Lily again shook her head, trying to make Victoria understand. Martha stepped in between them. “Mistress Victoria, she’s bleeding. Please—” A sharp crack echoed through the room. Lily’s eyes widened in horror as Martha’s face snapped to the side. The slap had come so fast she hadn’t even seen it. Lily rushed to Martha’s side to check on her. Victoria yanked Martha away. “Get out,” she snapped. ‘No,’ Lily mouthed, her eyes pleading. ‘Please.’ She turned on Lily, her eyes cold. “You’re weak. Always needing someone to save you. Not anymore.” Then to Martha, “Out. I’ll deal with her.” Martha hesitated, eyes on Lily. “Mistress, please. She’s not well—” “Guards!” Victoria barked, not waiting for a response. Two sentries stepped in. “Throw her out.” Lily reached out, eyes wide with panic. “I’ll come back,” Martha said quickly as the guards pulled her away. “I promise.” The door slammed shut behind her. Lily stood frozen, shaking, clutching her arm. Victoria’s lip curled as she looked at her with disdain. “If you want to act like a bitch in heat, then I’ll treat you like one.” Lily’s stomach dropped. Victoria stepped closer, eyes raking over Lily. “Tomorrow’s the full moon dance. I’ll come for you myself. And when I do, you better be ready, mutt.” ~ The next day, Victoria came for Lily just like she promised. “Strip,” Victoria ordered. “Now.” Lily didn’t move. “I said strip.” When Lily didn’t respond fast enough, Victoria’s expression twisted with irritation. Without warning, she grabbed the front of Lily’s dress and yanked hard, tearing it down the middle. “Useless,” she muttered, tossing the shredded fabric aside. She turned, picked up a flimsy dress from the nearby table—a sheer, backless thing of silver lace and velvet—and threw it at Lily. “You’ll wear that. And this.” She tossed a gold-plated mask with small, curved horns. Lily stared at the revealing dress. ‘No...’ “Oh, yes.” Victoria’s smile was cold. “It’s the full moon dance tonight, I’m sure you know what that means. If you’re lucky, maybe one of them will claim you for the night.” Lily dropped to her knees, her hands clasped together as tears streamed down her cheeks. Victoria grabbed her jaw, fingers digging into her cheeks. “This should help you have some fun tonight .” Victoria yanked Lily forward, uncorked a vial of deep red liquid, and held it to her lips. “It’ll make the night more... pleasurable,” she said with a smirk. Lily shook her head, panicked. But Victoria didn’t wait—she forced the vial into Lily’s mouth and tipped it back. Lily gagged, coughing as the bitter liquid burned down her throat. “You’ll thank me later,” Victoria muttered, tossing the vial aside. She turned to the door. “Servants!” Two maids entered. “Dress her. Now.” They pulled Lily toward the chair without a word, slipping the sheer silver dress over her shaking body and fastening the gold-plated mask with curved horns to her face. Victoria gave her one final look. “Let’s go.” Then she turned and walked out, expecting Lily to follow. The moment they stepped into the garden hall, Victoria left Lily on her own, disappearing into the crowd. Despite everything the night was about to bring, the garden hall was beautiful. Golden lanterns hung from the glass ceiling. Flowers spilled from every corner. Candlelit tables overflowed with food and wine. Wolves danced slowly to soft, sultry music, some already locked in intimate embraces. But beneath the surface, it stank—of sex, musk, and sweat. Lily staggered forward, her legs weak. Her body burned from the drug. Her dress felt like it was made of spiderwebs. She didn’t belong here. “Well, hello there, beautiful. Didn’t expect to see someone as delicate as you here.” He grinned, eyes sweeping over her with open interest, even though he clearly had no idea who she was. The voice made her stomach twist. She turned. It was him. The same Alpha she remembered that used to visit her father years ago. He wore a simple leather mask, but there was no mistaking the look in his eyes. Predator. He circled her like she was prey. “Didn’t think they’d actually have someone like you,” he said. “Guess even Zayn has outdone himself.” Lily stepped back, arms crossed over her chest. “Don’t be shy,” he said with a grin. “This is what you were made for.” He reached out and brushed her arm. She flinched. He caught her wrist. “Don’t run. The night is young.” He pressed a wine glass into her hand. “Drink.” She shook her head. His smile didn’t fade. “Drink,” he said again. “I’m not asking.” She looked around, desperate. But the room kept spinning. No one was watching. Or if they were—they didn’t care. She was alone. She sipped the wine, trembling. “Good girl,” the alpha whispered, stepping closer. “You’ll learn to like it.” She whimpered, trying to twist her wrist free again. “So soft...” He whispered as he slid his hand up her thigh, breath hot against her ear, “So delicate... you’re begging to be ruined, aren’t you?” He slowly lifted the fabric of her dress, “I wonder how tight and wet you are right now. Perhaps I should-” “Let her go!” The voice was sharp and icy. Lily felt a strong grip around her wrist. Her skin burned. She looked up, shocked to recognize him. Shirtless. Masked. She recognised the scars that littered his chest. Zayn.